Snap Map on Snapchat: Full Guide to Using It
Learn how I use Snap Map on Snapchat to track friends, explore live stories, manage privacy settings, and share location safely in real time.
Snap Map was one of the most interesting applications in Snapchat Planets that I always liked. It allows me to view the position of my friends without sending them a message. Meanwhile, I will be able to see the Snaps of events, cities, and trending places of other people. It is as though it were life on the world.
Snap Map does not always follow me on the background. My positioning is only updated when I open the app. That puts me in charge and at ease with privacy and without losing touch. This guide describes my use of Snap Map to the fullest extent in a safe manner.
What Is Snap Map on Snapchat
Snap Map is an application feature of Snapchat that is a real-time location. It displays my Bitmoji on a live map as well as friends that share their location. It also shows shared Snaps that are under Our Story.
This feature was introduced in 2017 and it has since expanded. Snapchat relies on the trusted mapping services to provide accuracy and speed. It is not only the location at Snap Map. It entails finding real time things that are going on in my surroundings.
How Snap Map Works
Snap Map relies on GPS, Wi-Fi and mobile network of my phone in order to locate. Whenever I open Snapchat, my Bitmoji is reflected on the map immediately. It fails to update at the time the app is closed.

I have the choice of whom to share my position with. One can select all friends, selected friends or Ghost Mode. I also can observe colored hot spots where there are public Snaps. The dark red colours indicate a high activity.
How I Access Snap Map
It is easy and fast to access Snap Map. I open Snapchat and get to the camera screen. Then I squeeze the screen as I do with zooming out a photo. The map appears immediately.
I use the map and can see my Bitmoji, friends who share location, and heat areas. I am able to zoom in and out to have a feel of other places. Any tap in any zone allows me to view public Snaps.
How I Use Snap Map Features
Snap Map has other functionalities than friend tracking. I rely on it to research on what is happening, visit the local places, and read earlier Memories. It assists me in finding out what is popular around me.
Main Snap Map Tools I Use
- Track friends’ last active location
- Search specific friends by name
- View public Stories through heat zones
- Share Snaps to Our Story
Snap Map becomes interactive and useful with the help of these tools. I apply it in my social life as well as discovery. It also makes me keep myself informed on local activity.
Using Heat Map and Public Stories
Colors in Heat Map indicate Snap activity in various regions. Low activity is represented by blue and high by red Snap sharing. I tap these areas to see the content that is of the general population.
Public Stories are a compilation of Snaps that are shared by people in the same place. Such clusters are updated regularly. It gives me an opportunity to attend concerts, festivals or events in real-time. It is such as digital exploration.
Sharing Live Location With Friends
In case I desire to track meetups in real-time, Live Location is my choice. I click on a chat of my friend and select Share Live Location. I choose such a period as 15 minutes or 1 hour.
At that period, my Bitmoji follows me around. It is only effective to the chosen friend. This option is useful in case of safety or meeting somebody. I can stop sharing anytime.
Using Snap Map From the Web
Snap Map is an online application as well. I use the site map.snapchat.com via my browser. The site displays only heat zones and Snaps which are public.

I do not see my friends or personal Bitmojoes there. It is primarily used to study the activity of the world. It can be used in verifying what has happened in other cities.
Managing Privacy Settings
The control of privacy is also highly significant in Snap Map. I tap See My Location in the Settings. Through there, I decide on what to share my location.
My location is obfuscated in Ghost Mode. It can be temporary or permanent which I can enable. This makes me unnoticeable when necessary. I can always keep things under control.
Updating My Bitmoji on Snap Map
My Bitmoji will be my representatives in the map. When I am trying to make a new appearance, I would tap Edit My Bitmoji. I switch costumes, hair styles or faces.
The new version is immediately posted on Snap Map. There are also seasonal products. An avatar in the form of a Bitmoji helps friends identify me.
FAQs: Snap Map on Snapchat
Conclusion
Snap Map is not only a location tracker. It enables me to follow live events, shared stories and trending topics around the world. When applied in proper way, it boosts connectivity and discovery.
Simultaneously, I am in charge of privacy settings. I have the option to control my location visibility. Through the knowledge of its tools, I utilize Snap Map safely and efficiently on a daily basis.

